During earlier sections, we have discussed
the various exposure control in the aperture priority AE, manual mode and stopped
down metering exposure measurement. Nikon's current popular Matrix metering is not
available. But FE2 built in exposure control should be more than sufficient to handle
most of your tasks imaginable. When the night falls, unless you are in long time
exposure to capture 'natural' night scenes, most of the time you would need an artificial
light source, like a flash. The FE2 flash metering is an vast improvement as compared
with the earlier FE.

*Information contained
here (Unless otherwise stated) are shared and also applicable to Nikon FA, where
both cameras shared the same shutter, mechanism and sync speed for flash photography.
Thus this section may still be copy and paste onto the Nikon FA flash section as
shared resources.

(More info:
Nikon SB-1 to SB-21 Speedlight/Flash Units) In flash photography,
the Nikon FE2 (Nikon FA) easily outshine any of the FM/FE group of models (And many
of its competition among other makes). In terms of features, the Nikon FA has the
edge with the additional multi pattern (Earlier Matrix) metering and with an extra
benefit of Shutter Priority AE and Program AE. The FE2, along with the Nikon FA,
were the two among its group that offered TTL OTF flash metering in addition to conventional
manual and auto flash (The Nikon FG was the first to offer multimode, but categorized
under Nikon's super compacts, neither the current Nikon FE-10
or FM-10 has the TTL flash metering feature). The FE2 features flash synchronization
with manual, electronic flash units and bulbs (Pneumatic bulb or tube to trip the
shutter). Flash modes in the FE2 was a big plus compared with the original FE's standard
manual/automatic flash. It can be accomplished via one of four flash modes, either
through Manual (M), Automatic (A), TTL/OTF or bulb mode.

But
first of all, what is TTL OTF flash metering ? As you have already know how a
manual flash works: the entire amount of flash power will be discharged in the manual
mode (Depends on the 'power' of the flash, represented in guide number. You have
to divide the distance and guide number to find out the effective f number i.e. 10'
divided by a flash with guide number of 20 = f2.0. It is also affected by other variable
flash technique e.g. Bounce flash needs compensation as the 'power' has been 'diluted'
etc.,; film speed also affects its working range e.g., aperture f4 at ASA/ASA100
will be f5.6 when you change the film to ASA/ISO 200 or the effective distance is
double). An electronic flash unit uses batteries to charge a capacitor and its output
regulators will cut off the output as measured illumination is received as sufficient
for a proper flash exposure. Advantage is, it reduces battery drain and recycle time.
Most electronic flash has a sensor built on the flash to sense the reflectance from
the subject and regulate the amount of output. The sensor usually locates at the
front and should not be blocked during an flash exposure. If it was covered, it will
assume distance could be far and regulates full output of the flash. If such flash
unit is an dedicated unit (By camera manufacturer or third party makers), flash ready
light will be provided in the viewfinder.

TTL flash metering adds a layer
on top of how ordinary electronic flash works. The sensor is now located in the camera
body, behind the lens you are using and it measures the amount of light that reflect
off the actual film plane to regulate the amount of output from the flash for a proper
flash exposure. This technique, pioneered by Olympus in their OM2n (1975) was a technically
perfect solution to get an optimum flash exposure. However, it was enhanced further
by Nikon in the F90x (F5 as well), as in most cases, the average TTL flash metering
works like center weighted average metering, Nikon has manage successfully transferred
their patented Matrix metering to the TTL Flash for, multi segments flash metering.
Unfortunately, this works only with flash that has dedicated functions in line with
specific cameras that have been designed to take advantage of this technique (The
very innovative Contax RTS III is the only camera that has TTL flash metering that
works independently, regardless of origin).

The Nikon FE2 offers
TTL flash metering, the design require a total of three metering cells - two of which
locate near the eyepiece and another at the base of the mirror box . The designing
concept may not be that sophisticated, but it works independently if you are to compare
with the Nikon F3's flash metering (The F3 uses a single SPD cells that housed at the bottom of
the main reflex mirror box
to perform normal TTL and TTL flash metering). The FE2 has a pair of SPD cells to
do ambient metering and another SPD cell at the base, facing the film to perform
TTL flash metering during flash exposure.

Since the FE2 has no 'T' Setting,
I have to use the cable release to lock it at 'B' to take this shot. The sparkling
cell is for the TTL OTF flash metering control and it has to work with the few extra
terminals on the hot shoe to relay information with a dedicated flash. Thus, even
if the features are here for you. To maximize its capacity and capabilities, you
ought to be very careful in making selection to get a compatible flash unit. As some
flash units may offer only manual flash mode, some are capable of automatic flash
mode (Usually come with manual control), and others may function properly in the
TTL mode as well. Unfortunately, as with lens mount, most camera manufacturers designed
their flash shoe contact without compatibility with other manufacturers even they
are using the standard ISO-type accessory shoe. BUT all flashes can be used in manual
or even in many cases, automatic mode - except TTL or some specific proprietary designs.

The metering cell is rectangular
in shape to read the similarly sized film size. Based on heavily center weighted
average metering methods. This works very well with many TTL flash that Nikon produced
over the years. Others similar flash designed for cameras like F3 has to use a flash
coupler - at the expense of TTL, so invest wisely into the right flash. (Actually,
current dedicated AF flash from Nikon will function properly with an FE2 in the TTL
mode as well, the trick is the terminals on the hot shoe - obviously, with the exception
of AF function).

As explained earlier,
the sensor only meter the light. The actual computation is done by the camera's CPU
for data processing, regulating the right amount of light intensity, relay/cut off
instructions and execute the process of a proper exposure. It sounds easy, but the
communication is quite complex and sophisticated. For instance, to reduce signal
noise, separate two X-contacts lead wires from other lead wires and routing has been
rearrange to cross the circuit pattern to the SPD cells, this improve the reliability
of the FE2 as well.

Basically, both FE and FE2 needs
one way or another with a dedicated flash to work more efficiently in flash photography.
The previous FE has two outstanding designs with its flash ready light and automatic
synchronization of speed to 1/90 sec. while the FE2 has leapfrog its flash capability
with even more advance features: If you have accidentally or wrongly adjust your
shutter speed to 1/250 sec and above, it will automatically set to a default sync
speed of 1/250 sec while you are in Auto mode., the convenient viewfinder ready light
is retained and in addition to that, the popular TTL flash metering is provided as
new 'add on'. Is
TTL fail safe ? A
difficult question to answer as there are many variable factors could affect its
accuracy. But generally, you have to make sure the maximum flash-to-subject distance
is not exceeded and dealing with a tiny subject in a open background could be tricky.
Anyway, the manual flash option is always here to supplement, should circumstances
require.

As a day is separated by a day and night.
It is advisable to develop some good knowledge in the Fee's flash capabilities to
help you master these 'man-made' light source. The next section will outline operational
procedures, options of flash and how to handle the FE2 in manual and automatic flash
more effectively.

W A R N I N
G: The
New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no
aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES
with any of these manual focus Nikon
FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained
herein this site where it relates.

| Message Board|
for your Nikkor
optics("shared"
because I do wish some of you to expose to other's perspective as well. Isn't it
a sad sate to see photography has to be segmented into different camps from the use
of various labels)

Credit: Chuck Hester for some of his beautiful images used
in this site; TedWengelaar®,Hollandfor
his continuous flow of input; LarsHolstHansen, Danish 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion;
Mr Poon from Poon photo for their input; Ms Miss Rissa (Sales Manager) & members of the Technical
Service dept. of Shriro Malaysia, local distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia
& Singapore, in providing so many useful input to make this site possible. Special
thanks to Mr MC
Lau, who has helped
with his images of the MF-12 databack. Michael Tan, Pertama Photo (603-2926505) for
lending his original Titanium Shutter Display Unit. Dave Hoyt who has prepared the introductory page and offer some images of his
FE2 in this site.. Hiura Shinsaku, Nikomat ML, Japan
for his contribution on all the various images; A contributing site to a long
lost friend
on the Net. Note: Certain content
and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets,
brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator
of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such
possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat",
"Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan.
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